Roaming network problem with Airport Extreme Base Station (4th gen)

Will look for your answer when I am back online in 4-5 hours.

I suggested above that you should restart your Mac. Were you able to do this?

I've disconnected the power and the ethernet cable between the Extreme and the Express.

The Express must remain powered off until you have the AirPort Extreme working correctly.

If the AirPort Extreme is not functioning correctly and not appearing in AirPort Utility correctly, something is wrong. My guess is that some settings changed when you connected the Ethernet cable to the Express from the Extreme without first resetting the AirPort Express.

The Express was originally set up to extend your network using a wireless connection. Connecting an Ethernet cable without first resetting the Express created a huge feedback loop on your network which apparently changed some settings on the AirPort Extreme.

Unfortunately, we are stuck since you are unable to access the settings on the AirPort Extreme using AirPort Utility, it is not possible to perform checks of the Internet and network settings on the device.

The only thing that I can suggest at this point is to perform a Hard Reset on the AirPort Extreme to erase the current settings on the Extreme and then try to set it up again.

Please keep in mind that the 4th Generation AirPort Extreme was discontinued in June 2011, so your product is at least 10 years old and likely older. The average useful life of a WiFi router is about 6-7 years. That may or may not be a factor here.

Apple has classified the 4th Gen AirPort as obsolete in terms of support. This means that if you contact Apple for assistance, they will not help, even if you are willing to pay them.

If you decide to reset the AirPort Extreme and then try to set it up again and need some tips on this, let us know. It would really help if we could get the make and model number of your modem. We don't need a serial number......we just need the manufacturer name and product model number.

In ditching the Extreme, would the following solution work? Connect the modem/router in the study via an ethernet cable to the Express in the living room. Could I then give the Express the same Network Name and Password as the modem/router?

Yes, assuming that......

1) The AirPort Express is working correctly

2) The Express will be located at least another room or two away from the modem/router. In other words, the Express will not be located in the same room as the modem/router

3) That the Ethernet cable from the modem/router to the Express will remain permanently connected

4) That the AirPort Express can be successfully reset back to its default factory settings using a Hard Reset

This also assumes that you will be using the WiFi on your Mac to configure the AirPort Express.....and that your Mac is not connected to the modem/router or to the AirPort Express using an Ethernet cable. In other words, the only Ethernet connection that you will be making will be between the modem/router and AirPort Express.

If you want to try this, here are the steps.

Power off the Express if it is powered up at this time

Connect the Ethernet cable from the modem/router to the "O" port on the AirPort Express

Power up the Express and let it run for a minute or so

Hold in the reset button on the back of the Express. When you do this, watch the indicator light on the front of the Express to confirm that the amber light is blinking rapidly for 7-8 seconds or so, and then release the reset button and allow a full minute for the Express to restart to a slow blinking amber light status.

This will indicate that the Hard Reset on the Express was successful and that it can now be set up to work with the modem/router.

Post back to confirm, and we will continue with the setup of the Express.